COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced the death of a cheetah ambassador Thursday afternoon. The zoo’s animal program and animal health staff decided to euthanize Coby on Dec. 30 “after his health significantly declined.”

In a Facebook post, the zoo said Coby had chronic arthritis of his neck and secondary spinal cord compression. Coby’s neck lesions destabilized during the past couple of weeks, resulting in severe neurological signs.

Medical personnel at the zoo and Ohio State University found the prognosis for corrective surgery was poor and there was a low chance Coby would be able to walk normally again without pain. The decision was then made to humanely euthanize Coby.

Coby was born June 22, 2013 and came to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as a puppy where he helped raise cheetahs, Bibi and Zemba, and mentored companion dogs, Cash and Cullen. As a part of the zoo’s animal programs, he also helped socialize otters, warthogs, foxes, and many others, the zoo said.

Columbus Zoo cheetah ambassador dog Coby interacts with cheetahs at the zoo. (Photo courtesy of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

He also was a member of the zoo’s community outreach program.

Coby was a trusted source for comfort at the zoo.

“Coby was the go-to canine companion for sitting with animals who recently underwent surgery,” the zoo said in a statement. “He also provided warmth to newly-arrived baby animals and captivated zoo guests in the watering hole.

“Coby was a pillar of our animal programs department and a treasured member of our Zoo family.”